The 33-year-old has brought a steady presence between the sticks for the Gunners, but his boss was close to sticking with former number one David Ospina.

‘It was a very, very difficult decision for me [to sign Cech] because I rate highly Ospina. I have a high opinion of him. Ospina is a keeper who, in my opinion, is underrated — especially in England,’ said Wenger according to the Daily Mirror.

‘But (signing Cech) was maybe one of the few opportunities to say, ‘Okay, this is an obvious (transfer).’ It was more to say, ‘If I don’t do this, it would be a mistake’.

‘You know one thing — you need a top-class goalkeeper. I have said many times that it is an underrated position. And you need a top-class goalkeeper to do well.

‘He has a calming presence, he communicates well, anticipates well, sees what is coming. He is a kind of coach. The best position to be a coach is the goalkeeper – because he doesn’t move, and he sees everything. He is the camera behind the team.’